Michael Rascoe

I grew up in York, PA and spent most of my formative years running around between the south side and Parkway. Being an 80’s baby, I spent more time outside than I did in the house. The streetlights were my curfew and more often than not, I came home late. Structure and guidance weren’t prevalent in my life as a youth. Even when adults were around, I was still alone. So, I quickly learned to care for myself. York County Children and Youth became heavily involved in my life at the age of 8, when they removed me from my home and placed me in the custody of the state. Which is where I would stay for the next eight years. Moving from shelters, residential group homes, kinship care and foster families. Then being emancipated at the age of 16 and moving into my first apartment. Through this, I was still able to work a full-time job, while attending York High, holding an elected student body government role, and graduating with honors.

As a young adult, I enlisted in the US Marine Corps right out of high school. Active duty and stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC. Striving to create a new path for myself, and my new family. One that was different than what I saw or even imagined when growing up. Unfortunately, I still lacked guidance, and I fought the ideal of structure. I made some bad decisions and found myself in a Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution, serving 5½ years of a ten-year sentence. I used that time to educate myself in a few different trades and college course studies. When it was time for me to come home, I took full advantage of every second chance opportunity that was afforded to me. When you come home from serving time, it’s often referred to as “second chance”, but truth be told, most of the scenarios would in fact be my first chance at life as an adult. The downfall being, I was now beginning the race even further behind the starting line.

I came home from prison in June of 2012, and I’ve not looked back since. There have been plenty of occasions where my past has slowed me down, but it has yet to stop me. I’ll gladly share my story any chance that I get because I know the power behind a truly great testimony. I’ve dedicated the last 14 years of my life to giving back and being an example of success. My biggest passion, of course, is being a voice for those who are often silenced or overlooked. My passion is standing in the gap for the youth in care who just want to feel normal and live out some of those typical life experiences that we refer to as a “rite of passage”.

Married for ten years, and a father to four children. In no story book would my family be considered perfect. Lord knows we’ve had our share of troubles and trauma. But this is the perfect family to me, and I’m proud of the young adults that each of our kids are turning out to be.